by BERYL PATEMAN

RETAIL park owners are being urged to clamp down on boy racers and their late-night 'cruises'.

Three gatherings in a month at Crewe's Grand Junction complex have angered residents who claim the noise created by up to 200 cars drives them mad. They have also raised safety issues.

The young drivers have adopted the site as an ideal rallying point, using the large car park for wheelspinning, racing and pulling handbrake turns.

Their antics create ear splitting screeches from tyres and the noise of backfiring and the revving of high-performance engines.

Local councillor, Ray Stafford, is spearheading the bid to stop the rallies which are being organised on the internet and attract drivers from a wide area.

"Police say their powers are limited because the rallies are not on the public highway. But surely something can be done to stop them. It seems these youngsters meet regularly and change their venue now and then. They have previously been in the Potteries," he said.

"As the police can't help we are now contacting the retail park owners in the hope that they can take measures to prevent the rallies. Perhaps they could block the car park off at night," he said.

The latest 'cruising rally' occurred at the weekend when around 50 cars assembled.